and then there's mallets........ 2 ounce:

clockmaker's mallet

Merriam-Webster
a hammer with a large usually wooden head
a tool with a large head for driving another tool or for striking a surface without marring it

There's mallets and there's MALLETS. Circus tent pegs are driven with MALLETS. Just saying!

Dead easy

best get a float bowl gasket also...can't find it right now, usually available as a kit

//www.minimania.com/part/CA90/Needle-And-Seat-For-Hs2-4-6

here
//www.minimania.com/part/2535/Gasket-Float-Hs2-hs4

thanks for the replies.  I've been a bit paranoid now, i tap on the float cover with a screwdriver handle everytime i start the car. Is it possible to clean it or replace the needle?

I'd use a rock if I had too.  Using a mallet doesn't mean I'm using a claw hammer to drive a nail.  I'd rather stop fuel dripping on my car's exhaust and get home than worry about being delicate.

Nooooo, not a mallet! A hard plastic Stanley screwdriver handle is all it needs.

Odly enough... I had this happen on my car yesterday also.  As Catalina said, a gentle whack with a mallet to the offending float bowl and the leak stopped.  

The needle can stick from the varnish fuel deposits.
The usual trick to fix it is to give the lid of the float bowl a whack with the handle of a screwdriver and it will stop overflowing. 
If it doesn't fix it you can use the screwdriver to remove the lid and wiggle the needle to free it up.

OK, after reinstalling the cover and float back in the chamber. The leak stopped. I guess the needle was stuck open somehow and it free'up while I was testing it. 

I learned another thing about my mini today. Thank you Spitz

I just opened the chamber. The float, gasket, needle and seat all look ok. There's no puncture, damage, and the needle bounces back out then I gently push the float/hinge against it. 

What can cause this vent to leak? 

Thanks 

Thanks for the reply

I found the gas leak was from the small hole covered by the baffle plate right under the fuel line. Is that the overflow / vent? Also the battle plate is loose.

How do I fix this? If I open up the float chamber, what should I look for?

Thank you very much

Probably leaking from the over flow / vent as the needle valve/seat is pooched or the float is ruptured.  Also put a new gasket on the float cover.

Hi,

I just noticed gas is leaking from the float chamber. I couldn't see where its leaking from. Maybe on the bottom connector.

EDIT:  I thought it was leaking under the float chamber but I just noticed its actually around the fuel line on top...

Looking into it now... Will update.